Transport Futures Institute presents ...

Preparing Effective Business Cases

Governments are demanding more effective use of resources and delivery of desired outcomes, particularly when funding is constrained.  Transport professionals therefore need to be able to develop and present robust and compelling business cases for investment proposals.  

Let me ask you this:

  • DO you feel stress when asked to be involved in a business case?
  • DO you waste a lot of time trying to understand what to do in preparing a business case? 
  • DO you feel concerned that you don't understand how a business case is put together?
  • DO you feel you will miss out on that promotion or career opportunity because you don't understand business cases?

Well here is your solution:

  • Follow a step-by-step business case preparation system to prepare an effective business case every time
  • On completion of this online course you will know what makes a compelling business case that meets the expectations of decision makers and gets approved first time

What you will learn

  • understand the strategic priorities, challenges, risks and opportunities to provide desired outcomes and results
  • demonstrate an understanding of current and emerging practices and key concepts in developing business cases and funding opportunities
  • describe the specific risks and challenges being faced 
  • ensure proposed solutions are couched in terms of desired outcomes and funding criteria
  • apply the required assessment frameworks and best practice business case processes to the delivery of value for money project proposals
  • consider the different perspectives of key stakeholders
  • effectively communicate proposals using leading practice methods and tools 
  • engage in practical exercises translating concepts into practice
  • know where to obtain best practice guidelines

Phase 1. Strategy has a focus on the first stage of developing a business case – the strategic context. Clarify the problem, engage key stakeholders, assess risks and establish governance, so you can clearly align your project to deliver government priorities.

Phase 2. Solutions provides a guidance on developing and selecting a preferred option. Develop potential options and narrow them to a short list by assessing their viability and selecting a preferred option, so that you can confidently proceed to detailed analysis.

Phase 3. Submission outlines the detailed business case components. What is important in evaluating the preferred option to deliver outcomes, develop implementation and be able to confidently present the detailed business case, so you can win approval the first time.

Bird's Eye View of Course

Strategic Context:
Clarify the problem, engage stakeholders, assess risks and outline governance.

  • Learn how to clearly state the problem and its cause and effect and define the service need for the  infrastructure proposed
  • Be able to develop a focus on results to achieve the desired outcomes and show the alignment of the outcomes of a project to government priorities
  • Learn how to identify and engage key stakeholders to align their efforts and deliver the results.

Solution Options:
Develop potential options and select the preferred option.

  • Learn how to establish the baseline for analysis of options by developing the base case
  • Be able to develop a comprehensive list of potential solutions to address the service requirement
  • Learn how to assess the economic, social and sustainability impacts of solution options to select the preferred option.

Submit proposal:
Outline the preferred option and confidently present the business case.

  • Learn how to describe the qualitative and quantitative costs and benefits of a proposal
  • Learn how to assess affordability of the preferred option to inform budget viability
  • Understand how best to deliver the option from a long-term sustainability perspective
  • Be able to manage the planning process and identify the implementation approach
  • Learn how to employ effective means to present the case for investment to decision-makers.
Join the Waitlist

Online Learning

Online pre-course materials with videos, notes, readings, group coaching and application exercises.

Best Practice

Educational design uses best practice adult learning: knowledge + understanding + application.

Professional practice

Develop your professional capability, increase productivity, satisfy professional development requirements and enhance career opportunities.

On completion of this online course you will know what makes a compelling business case that meets the expectations of decision makers and gets approved first time

Course Curriculum

What can I expect from this course?

This course will provide you with the opportunity to acquire or enhance professional skills required to prepare robust business cases for investment by being able to:

  • take a strategic view or big picture, rather than a technical only perspective, focus on the critical 20% that gives 80% of the results (80:20 principle)  
  • establish a sound understanding of strategic priorities, challenges, risks and opportunities to provide desired outcomes and results  
  • demonstrate an understanding of current and emerging practices and key concepts in developing business cases  
  • ensure proposed solutions are practical, couched in terms of desired outcomes and funding criteria  
  • apply the required assessment frameworks and best practice processes to deliver value for money proposals  
  • consider the different perspectives of key stakeholders  
  • effectively communicate proposals using leading practice methods and tools – understand a decision maker’s perspective, tell the story and outline the investment logic  
  • know where to obtain more information.  

This course will will also help you to develop skills and knowledge to:

  • increase your productivity – know what to do, and how to do it successfully and quickly 
  • satisfy professional development requirements of your employer and/or professional body  
  • develop your professional capability and increase your competence  
  • enhance your career opportunities – build key skills and knowledge.  

Course Instructor

Professor Phil Charles, the founder of Transport Futures Institute, is an experienced practitioner and strategic adviser to government on major infrastructure investment proposals. Phil is an accredited with Queensland Treasury as a Gateway Reviewer.

He is a skilled educator and trainer having trained over 250 professionals from government and consulting in the preparation of business cases with high ratings in feedback.

Over the past five years he has peer reviewed and/or written over twenty business cases for infrastructure projects, valued from multi-millions, to over a billion dollars.

He prefers to take a strategic or big picture view rather than a technical only perspective; looks at how to tell the story; takes a decision-maker’s perspective; recommends a focus on the critical few or top 20% (80:20 principle); provide practical solutions; from real-world experience; and provide tools, templates and case study examples.

Phil is an Honorary Professor at the University of Queensland and an Adjunct Professor at the University of Southern Queensland. He has qualifications in civil engineering, transport, business and public administration and higher education.

Frequently Asked Questions

The course starts as soon as you enrol! It is primarily a self-paced online course - and you can decide when and where you take the course. You will also have access to six weeks of group coaching by video starting in 18 August 2021 and these sessions will be recorded and made available for later review. The course finishes on 30 September 2021.

You have access to all the online materials which covers short videos, audio, notes, links to readings and references, group coaching, tools and templates and application exercises. Submit your completed exercises for feedback. You will have access to a community forum built into the course platform where you can post your thoughts, ask questions of your colleagues and the instructor. On successful completion of the course, you can get a certificate of completion.

We suggest you block out in you calendar 45-60 minutes, 2-3 times a week over at least 6 weeks. The group coaching will be about 60-90 minutes per week over 6 weeks – details will be provided on enrolment.

You will be able to ask questions in the Q&A portion of the weekly group coaching sessions over the 6 weeks, you can post questions in the forum and you have unlimited email access to the instructor over the 6 weeks.

After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course – across all your available devices.

The course costs $990.00 (including GST) for unlimited access. This is an introductory price for a pilot program limited to 20 people and the price will be raised in the future to $1320, so this represents a discount of 25% – for this all new online program. This is an expanded version of the previous two day short course which was priced at $1540.

We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 14 days, provide evidence that you have made a reasonable attempt at the course and we will give you a full refund.

This course will teach you the strategy of preparing an effective business case. You don't have to write all of a business case - technical experts usually prepare the technical elements, such as the demand modelling, economical analysis and concept design. What is important is to focus on presenting the investment logic, the story, so that decision makers can agree to approve funding.

This course is aimed at transport professionals - both employees of transport federal, state and local agencies and consultants that work with transport agencies. There is no prior knowledge requirements. It is aimed at providing continuing professional development and building capability to protect your future. It is suited to those new to transport or wanting a refresher or broader understanding of transport business cases.

Get on the Waitlist

© 2021 Transport Futures Institute